Speedy "Employee of the Moment"

Full Name: Brian "Speedy" McCollor
Age (optional): 43
GW Position: Run Manager, Ski Fitter
Weight (optional): 159lbs.
Height (optional): 5' 9"
Athletic Ability: Gifted, just under trained and under appreciated.
















Under Appreciated? Do you have some hidden talent that no one is aware of?
I have under appreciated my own god given ability. I believe you can do most anything you put your mind to. The hard part is deciding what you want and then being willing to work for a long enough time to achieve the goal. Finding the right coach, mentor or training group is also very important to reaching your potential.

Where did you grow up? Hometown?
South Minneapolis

So you had a hard knock life in South MPLS?
I don’t like to say it, but I did come from a broken home in the inner city. This is a little misleading; I think I had a great childhood experience. Both of my parents are close to me and have been very supportive through out my life. They showed me how to work hard for what I want and stay true to my values. I have two older brothers that set a high standard for me and I have rarely reached their level. So some would say I was disadvantaged but as I said before I thought I had a great childhood.

It seems that your family is important to you. How does your family influence your career or goals in life?
My family got me started, my dad would take us to the track sometimes and my older brother paved the way into high school track and cross country. They have been super supportive. My wife and I met through running and we have already introduced our kids to track and road racing. I don’t compete at the same level but the family keeps everything in perspective.

Speedy running in jeans

What childhood sports did you or did not you do?
Tried - Soccer, Softball, Basketball
Loved - Running, Biking, Swimming, Skiing (Both kinds).

Any particular reason why you prefer individual sports over team sports?
I felt I had control of the outcomes. In team sports you were at the mercy of your teammates or worse they were depending on you. In individual sports you can control level of effort and it is easier to see progression. I have always liked the idea of a personal best and then getting better.

Any sweet sports achievements or personal victories?Some think Top H.S. Runner 3rd in CC, 2nd in 3200, 6th in 1600 at State as a senior. Some think a 31:43 10K in college that placed 2nd in MIAC or a 2:24:43 Marathoner, or 16:09:47 for 100 miles that was a state record at the time. What could have been achieved with proper training and diet we'll never know…?

Roosevelt High School Runner

Sounds like you have some hidden resentment or regrets. What were your major goals during this time period?
I think I was pushed hard in high school and reached a high level and just stayed at that level through college and beyond. I think with a little different type of coach I may have run a little faster, on the other hand I may have gotten injured and quit competing a lot earlier. I would not say resentment or regret but I do sometimes wonder what would have happened had I done things differently. Don’t we all?

Drake Relays - Marathon Champion

College/Secondary Education/Degrees/Philosophies
Attended The University of St. Thomas, graduated with a degree in math and secondary education. Soon learned that I didn't like "judging" kids. I didn't do my student teaching, started selling running shoes and enjoying retail. I have coached H.S. Track and CC for 11 years and really enjoy sharing my enjoyment of running.

So you just did not show up for student teaching?
More or less. I just did not see myself teaching in an effective manner. So I chose not to do my student teaching.

Through your life experiences, how did you find your way to Gear West?
I first became aware of G.W. while I was working at Runners Edge in Long Lake and when Jan and Brian decided to get into running shoes I became part of the G.W. team.

Was there something different about Jan & BK that took you away from Runners Edge?At runners edge there were three main employees and it seemed a little over staffed. Also it was a little stagnant, the same thing year round. At Gear West there is all of the ski stuff, as well Brian and Jan are always looking for new ways to improve so I would say it is much more fluid.

How long have you been working at Gear West?
I started in spring of 1997. But took a Rep. job for a year and a half.

Who was your rep. job with?
I was the Saucony shoe and Hind clothing sales rep.

What is the most interesting aspect of working at Gear West?
At Gear West we keep trying to stay on top of what's going on in the industry whether it's running or skiing. I really enjoy working with the new skiers and new runners especially H.S. students. They are just getting started and I want to give information but not overwhelm them.

What drives you in this business?
My enjoyment of both running and skiing and wanting to share it with others.

Grandmas Marathon

What do you do at Gear West?
Pure and simple, move product. I order running shoes. I sell running shoes and skis and clothes and wax and accessories and watches and sandals and anything else we carry.

So…bottom line…it’s all about profit?
I did not say anything about profit. Everyone knows that we need to sell a certain amount to stay in business. I try to meet and exceed that level every day. This is what allows us to try new things and keep growing.

Do you have any strengths/weaknesses?
I have lots of strengths and weaknesses; biggest strength is enjoyment of sports and wanting to share that with people. Biggest weaknesses lack of organization, this hinders me in all aspects of life.

Would you say that this is an important qualification for working at GW?

You have to have a passion for the sports that we cater to. Weather you’re a skier or runner or soccer player; you need to learn the products and help inform the customers on how to enjoy their sport more.

Speedy demonstrating proper run form

Matt Liebsch Joins the Full-Time Staff of Gear West

Long Lake, MN Gear West is pleased to announce the addition of Matt Liebsch as a full-time staff member. Matt has been a part time employee of Gear West and a Gear West sponsored athlete for several years. Many folks might already be aware of Matt Liebsch's talents as he is the winner of the 2009 American Birkebeiner, the largest cross country ski marathon in North America. He was also a CXC Team Vertical Limit elite level cross country athlete vying for a coveted spot on the 2010 United States Winter Olympic team which competed in Vancouver. While he didn’t garner one of those spots he had a great year of XC ski racing and has established himself as one of the pre-eminent XC ski racers in North America.

Matt plans on continuing to race at a very high level but has chosen to limit his traveling to spend more time at home with his family and add technical depth to one of the most knowledgeable and professional Cross Country Ski retailers in North America. “Matt has worked part time for Gear West and his abilities as a ski technician really impressed us. Matt’s understanding of ski construction and how it relates to ski performance and human physiology is a great asset to Gear West and our many ski customers.” stated Gear West co-owner Brian Knutson.

Matt personally selects some of his race skis and frequently tests multiple pairs of skis to develop his seasonal quiver of skis. “I can sometimes tell in as little as 5 seconds if a ski was suitable for me or not” commented Liebsch in a recent interview. Matt is excited to bring his keen sense for ski selection and his technical background to Gear West.

Jan Guenther, Gear West co-owner recently commented, “As of now, Matt Liebsch plans to continue racing and training at a high level and Gear West will be supporting him. In return Matt adds his race and ski wisdom to the already talented group of Gear West ski fitters. Matt will be one of the pillars of Gear West’s commitment to continue to provide our customers: Wisdom, Selection and Value”.

Fargo Marathon by Wendi Pearson

Well, I survived the Fargo Marathon - the hardest and most boring marathon I've ever run. The course is through neighborhoods with great spectators, but you run on concrete streets and turn every two blocks. The half marathon and marathon run into each other twice, causing the police to push the marathoners to the left to make a small opening for the half marathoners, and the only wheelchair athlete worked his way on the opposite side of the street against marathon traffic with a biker leading him.

The marathon started with rain and cool temperatures and ended with steamy, humid, sunny temperatures around 81 and a 30 mph wind. I committed the cardinal sin of marathoning; I went out way too fast for the first 10k, faster than any of my training runs because it felt "easy" at the time. I decided I better slow down at mile 7 and at mile 8 I crashed and burned and was in trouble for the next 18 miles. OUCH!!!! My legs were like cement, my heart rate wouldn't come down, and I tore part of a calf muscle that left blood pooled behind my knee and down my leg. I kept thinking I have to finish this darn thing for two reasons: 1- I don't ever want to have to run this again (I need to do all 50 states), 2- The finishers shirt is great.

Things seemed a little off balance through my eyes as I ran from mile 10 on but I finished with a cute guy on each side of me - and I'm pretty sure they were real, not imagined. A friend and my boyfriend saw my distant eyes when I came across the finish line and thought I should get checked out at the medical tent, but I'm as stubborn as the next gal and decided I was going to be fine. BIG mistake!!!!!! I started getting really nauseous and there was no electrolyte drinks to be found, just food, and I couldn't eat. Menstrual cramps had started throughout the marathon and were roaring now, I felt like throwing up, I was freezing cold, dehydrated, and had to go to the bathroom not sure which end would relieve itself first.

While in the bathroom stall I realized I was too dizzy and sick to move. I tried to call my boyfriend but he didn't hear me. I reached under the stall to wave at the person next to me to let my boyfriend know I need medical help. 5 nurses and my boyfriend hauled me out of the bathroom stall in a wheelchair and from there it was like bodyguards (nurses) shoving crowds of runners to the side to get to the medical tent fast.

I was pale and had a purple nose and lips. I had two bags of I.V fluid; nurses taking rectal temperatures of 94 degrees and more blankets than an entire Bed, Bath, & Beyond probably carry. But Fargo was great!

GEAR WEST 2009 CATALOG

Gear West has gone GREEN. Ok…that’s not totally true, but we are making an effort to cut down on paper product this season. We have gone to extreme lengths to convert our catalog to an electronic catalog. The online version allows one to either view online or download it in PDF form at your own convenience.

Time Management by Jenny

Jenny is a junior at Saint Cloud State University and is majoring in communication studies and marketing. She is the captain of the Nordic ski team, and is also a member of the cycling team.

This last month has been really hectic with adjusting to new classes and scheduling practice time outside of it. Training wise, the program here at SCSU is very much what you make of it. We’re a women’s only team and there are thirteen skiers total, three of whom are freshman and one a junior transfer from the University of Wyoming. We practice 5 days a week as a team; weekends are usually on your own. This year thus far we’ve had a few team time trials on rollerskis to simulate a race situation and to keep our racing mentality intact. Much of our technical focus has been on improving double pole technique, working on a dynamic arm swing. As for strength, we average around 2-2.5 hours of strength training per week. Many exercises we do are body-weight exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, dips, and lunges.

Recently we‘ve had some great upgrades to our ski room, which is an old racquetball court in the basement of our athletic facility. Fifteen new cubbies designed to hold our equipment! Hopefully the October snow was a positive indicator of what’s in store for the future, in the mean time, think snow!

-Jenny

October Skis by Matt Liebsch

Matt Liebsch is a member of the CXC Elite cross country ski team and a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BS in Electrical Engineering.He is an Olympic hopeful and had a very successful 2009 season… 3rd Place at US Nationals, Mora Vasaloppet winner and American Birkebeiner Champion.When Matt is not training and racing he is helping out at Gear West or spending time with his wife, one-year-old son and new baby girl Samantha.

It snowed last night and this morning in the Twin Cities and we received enough snow for me to venture out on an anonymous golf course in the western suburbs. The skiing was great with a little silicon spray on the entire length of a pair of rock crown skis. I just got back from an intense camp at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY so I didn't ski for very long… just enough rekindle the fire for real snow!

Train hard, train smart

Matt

Golf Tourney Fun!

Matt Liebsch is a member of the CXC Elite cross country ski team and a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BS in Electrical Engineering.He is an Olympic hopeful and had a very successful 2009 season… 3rd Place at US Nationals, Mora Vasaloppet winner and American Birkebeiner Champion.When Matt is not training and racing he is helping out at Gear West or spending time with his wife, one-year-old son and new baby girl Samantha.

This past Sunday was the 4th Annual Matt Liebsch Golf Tournament. This year we had 45 golfers and many of them were skiers (and they can even golf!). The event raised some money to help fund my Olympic aspirations and everyone had a great time.

Congratulations to the Gear West foursome of Tom, Drew, Speedy and Stu on your 3rd place finish. The Gear West team had tied for 3rd but won in a putt off. I know you guys were super excited to win those Gear West Gift cards=)

This week I am training hard and will run the 1/2 marathon Trail Loppet this coming Saturday. Also, I’ll be in at Gear West for the Salomon SuperFit weekend.